Knitting machine



Nov. 28, 1939. A. .J. STORTZ KNITTING MACHINE s Sheet 1 Filed Jul 9' 1938 F E Z t. H nrz r E m D t t m fit Z H- 1 u 5 Nov. 28, 1939. A J s z 2,181,524

KQNITTING momma Filed July 9, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor. FlJEtmrtz I fr:

Fltturnegs.

Nov. 28, 1939. A. .1. STORTZ 2 1,5 4

KNITTING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventur. FLJEtmrtz Httm" neg 5. i

Patented Nov. 28, 1939 KNITTING MACHINE Anton J. Stortz, Fort Atkinson, Wis., assignor of one-third to P. J. Majerus, Fort Atkinson, Wis.,

and one-third to J. E.

Wis.

Fitzgibbon, Milwaukee,

Application July 9, 1938, Serial No. 218,419 4 Claims. (01. 66-449) This invention appertains to knitting, and more particularly to the knitting of full-fashioned stockings.

Much difllculty is experienced in knitting the leg blanks of full-fashioned stockings uniformly, in that if the tension of the individual sections of the machine are not adjusted the same, blanks of unequal lengths will be knit on the same machine having a variance in the loop of the stitch. The checker or mechanic makes every effort to have the tension in all of the sections the same. so that the sections will knit uniformly. However, to my knowledge, he has never been able to do this for the following reasons. The leg blanks are knit with moistened silk,

which stretches very easily, and tension straps are employed for pulling the leg blanks and for winding the leg blanks on the rollers. No two I tension straps pull equally, and the leg blanks being knitted are stretched unequally. Theoretically, all tension straps should pull evenly.

This may be'truewhen the machine is new, but

in practical use, the operator may pull or, jerk more on some than on others when attaching hooks to welt bars. This causes some to gradually lengthen more than others, and, furthermore, some straps may absorb more moisture, gum, and oil from the silk and, thus, become more readily stretchable.

Consequently, when the sections of a machine are checked by measuring the stockings, as in the usual practice, to see if the sections are all knitting uniformly, the stockings will all be stretched different lengths, and, thus, the checker does not know if this is due to the fault of the tension of the sections or the uneven pull on the leg blanks by the tension straps, or, possibly, by reason of the uneven moisture content of the silk in various sections. Hence, he cannot accurately tell 40 whether the secions are running uniformly tightly or loosely, and his adjustments of the sections are liable to be in complete error. Consequently, some sections will knit a leg blank tight and some loose. Thus, blanks of unequal lengths will be knit on the same machine and will have a variance in the loop of the stitch.

The amount the stockings have been stretched by the tension straps when the knitting is completed does not make any difference in the final length of the stockings after they have been dyed and processed, as when the stockings dry the thread shrinks to its original length. Therefore, practically the only condition which changes the actual length of the completed stockings is whether the leg blanks have been knitted tight or loose.

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of my invention to provide a novel means for obtaining an accurate uniform pull on all the leg blanks in all of the sections, so that upon the measuring of the stockings by the checker, the checker will instantly know that any variance in the length of the blanks is caused solely by the tension of the machine sections, which permits him to make an accurate adjustment of the sections.

Another salient object of my invention is to provide means for insuring an equal pull on each side of the stocking blank, so that .the blank will be knitted true, and whereby when the leg blanks are seamed, the selvedged edges will be in proper alinement, and, thus, no puckering will occur during the seaming operation.

A further important object of my invention is to provide a novel method of knitting full-fashioned hose, which consists in uncoupling the tension straps from the welt bars after the welt has been turned, and coupling with the opposite ends of the welt bars in all sections weights of identical mass; then knitting a predetermined number of courses and measuring the same to determine if all sections are knitting uniformly; then adjusting the tension of the sections if any variance is noted; then knitting another predetermined number of courses and checking to determine if the adjustment made remedies the condition.

With these and otherobjects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrang'ement, and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a full-fashioned knitting machine showing the leg blanks being knitted and the tension straps con nected with the welt bars.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the tension straps removed from the welt bars and my weights connected therewith, the leg blanks having been knitted a predetermined number of courses to permii'rthe measuring thereof.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 2, showing the colored thread in the stocking blanks to allow the final check-up measurements to be made.

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary detail view illustrating the conventional mechanism for adjusting the tension of each individualsection.

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary detail view showing a board for supporting my weights when the same are not in use, parts of the view being shown broken away and in section.

Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detail, side elevational view showing one means for associating additional weights with the main weights when such additional weights are needed.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter M generally indicates a full-fashioned stocking knitting machine.

No change is made in the construction of the machine at all, and, hence the machine is of the ordinary type and may be considered as the conventional Reading machine. Hence, the knitting machine will not be described in detail, but it is to be noted that the same includes a plurality of independent leg blank knitting sections 5, and that extending longitudinally in front of the machine is the leg blank takeup shaft 6, having rollers I attached thereto for each section.

The shaft 6 is normally rotated in one direction by means of pulley cables 8 and weights 9. The leg blanks It) being knitted on each section are connected with the rollers l by means of roller tension straps l I. These straps are connected with the rollers, and their forward ends carry hooks [2 for engaging over the welt bars l3 of the stocking blanks. Each section 5 of the machine. is provided with an adjustment l4 located in the rear for regulating the tension at which each section is knitting. The tensionadjustment l4 includes a hand wheel l5 held against movement in an adjusted position by a spring latch dog I 6.

In accordance with my method, the leg blanks at the start are knitted in the regular way, and the welt is turned at the usual time. The blank is then knit another predetermined number of courses, say, about an inch farther, after which the machine is stopped. The checker now uncouples the tension straps II from the welt bars l3 in all of the sections of the machine, and these straps are allowed to hang down loose in front of the machine, as is clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

I now employ a pair of accurately balanced weights I! for each section, and these weights have secured thereto cords l8, which are brought over the roller shaft 6. The upper ends of the cords ill have connected therewith hooks l9, and the same are hooked over the ends of the welt bars. By this arrangement, all of the leg blanks have exactly the same pull thereon, and the uneven pull of the tension straps H is eliminated. Also, an even and the same pull is formed on each end of the welt bars as can be readily understood.

The checker now measures the leg blanks from the needle bars 20 of the sections to the welt line of the leg blanks. If the measurements vary in length in any sections of the machine, the checker then adjusts the hand wheel l5 back of the needle bed either tighter or looser in said sections to conform to the balance of the sections. After all of the sections have been adjusted, the checker marks the thread of the thread-carrier 2| with fugitive chalk, as indicated at 22, above the needle bed (see Figure 2 of the drawings).

The machine is again started, and knitting is continued for approximately one inch or enough courses to permit of measuring. The

checker then measures from the chalk line, indicated by the reference character 23 in Figure 3 of the drawings, to the needle bar to ascertain uniformity, and further adjustment is made of the various sections if any further differences are found.

When all of the sections are adjusted to the same tension, the balanced weights I l are removed, and the tension straps II are gain connected to the welt bars l3. Knitting is then resumed in the usual manner.

With the present invention, the weights, which are balanced, are temporarily substituted for the tension straps at the beginning of the operation, and, consequently, the pull on the leg blanks in every section is the same, and the leg blanks will be stretched equally. Consequently, the measure made by the checker will be a true one, and he can accurately adjust the tension of each section, so that all sections will knit with the same tension or uniformity. This is due to the fact that the tension knob has been adjusted, and, thus, the tension on each section has been adjusted uniformly by the first measurement and confirmed by subsequent measurement from the chalk line.

Many advantages are present with the prac.

tice of my invention, and some of these advantages are enumerated in the following paragraphs, so that a better understanding of my invention will be had.

This invention assures that all sections are running with equal tension. Thus, all leg blanks are knit uniformly. Hence, all leg blanks are approximately equal in length, which eliminates pairing to a large extent, when the finished product is being prepared for boxing.

Under the present system of knitting, after the completed stocking is dyed it is boarded; that is, it is stretched over heated metal forms. The boarders aim is to get uniform lengths, as for instance, between twenty-nine and thirty inches. He has to pull tightly knitted stockings very hard, and, thus, distorts the stitches and often causes the narrowings to break and make seconds. When the final consumer gets the hose, it may look the right length, but when she puts it on it will be short and, thus, cause discomfort. Conversely, when the hose is knitted loosely, the boarder pulls it just enough to come within the desired length,- and when the final consumer gets it, it will pull or stretch out so much as to cause an ill fit. loose, the boarder has to pull it considerably over the regular mark on the form, and in the same batch of stockings the lengths will vary from two to three inches, thus making it necessary for the maters or pairers to spend considerable time to match up the different lengths in pairs.

Likewise, it will be impossible for an operator to decrease the number of courses over-all without being discovered almost immediately; Whereas, under the present system, this is not found out until the final check-up occurs, and, thus, the operator may continue such practice for several days before being discovered.

The invention eliminates measuring all of the sections of the machine each day, as once all sections are adjusted equally, they will stay that way for a considerable period of time, and measuring once or twice a week is a sufficient check.

When the weights are hung on the opposite ends of the welt bar, the pull is equal on the opposite sides of the leg blank; consequently, the leg blanks will be knitted true. When the leg blanks are seamed, the selvedged edges will be in proper alinement, and, thus, no puckering will occur during the seaming operation. This puckering is caused by the seamer being compelled (when the selvedged edges are of uneven tension) to pull a tightly knitted selvedged edge to conform to a loosely knitted one on the opposite side, so that when she gets to the end, both edges will meet at their respective ends. By eliminating Or, when a stocking is knitted very This is true for the reason that, under the usual practice, after the leg blank is knitted it is transferred to a set of needle bars, and each needle bar is then positioned to the needles in each section of the footing machine. Under prevailing practice, it makes no difference to the worker transferring the leg blank to the needle bar whether one blank is knitted tighter or looser than another, as there are the same number of loops in each course. Consequently, when the foot knitter receives these bars, he cannot know, now, whether'the tension of the blanks on all bars is the same.

If the stocking blanks on the bars in the first few sections of the footing machine are looser than his machine is set for, he will lessen the tension on his machine or sections accordingly, or vice versa to tighten the tension. Actually, many of the other leg blanks may be knitted tighter by reason of the variance of tension of the different sections of the legger from which the blanks were obtained (if the blanks were knitted under the usual practice). Therefore, on this footer there will be produced a number of completed hose, some of I which have tight legs and loose feet, and vice versa. This'results in seconds or imperfects, which cannot be sold at the same price as perfect hose.

Under the new plan, this is eliminated, as the footer knows that each leg blank has the same tension, and, hence, when he adjusts his footer the adjustment takes care'of each individual stocking, and, therefore, seconds or imperfects are practically eliminated.

The new method saves silk and labor, as under present conditions many mills indulge in the practice of adding more courses in the knitting than are actually necessary to assure a minimum length of the finished product. This is done so that where the tension is tight, the final stocking will be long nough'so that it will not have to be thrown out as a shor However, on other machines where the tension may be correct, this causes a longer stocking, with a consequent use of unnecessary silk. By the new system, all this extra silk would be saved.

The pairs of weights l1 can be handled in various manners, but in order to save the same from damage I prefer to provide a backboard having pairs of eyes 26, which correspond to the number of sections in a machine. Theseeyes receive the hooks IQ of the cords l8, and the weights l1 themselves can be fitted in sockets 21 formed in a baseboard 28 secured to the back plate 25.

In some instances, it may be highly desirable to vary the mass of the balanced weights according to the character of the thread being used. Hence, in Figure 6 of the drawings, Ihave shown a removable weight 29, which is adapted to be detachably mounted on the upper face of the weight l1. Obviously, as many different sized weights 29 canbe used as is practical or desirable. The new method saves time and material when changing the silk yarn on a machine from a lighter to a heavier weight or vice versa. Under present methods, much time is lost and great spoilage of work takes place by reason of the guesswork involved in the multiplicity of changes of tension arrangements to compensate for the new differences in the weight of the silk yarns; whereas, by reason of the new system of adding or subtracting adjusted weights, the tension of all sections is made uniform almost instantly.

While I have shown and described full-fashioned knitting machines embodying a plurality of sections, it is to be noted that my method can be used to the same advantage in factories utilizing individual stocking knitting machines. In this instance, the measurements from the individual machines are compared, and the tensions of all such individual machines are adjusted the same.

Changes in details may be' made without departing from the spirit or the scope of my invention, but what I claim as new is:

l. The method of adjusting the tension of all of the sections ofa full-fashioned kntting machine equal, which consists in, first, disconnecting the roller tensionstraps from the welt bars in. all the sections; second, placing an equal individual balanced pull on the stocking blanks in all sections; measuring knitted blanks to determine uniformity and adjusting tension of all sections while the blanks are under equal balanced pull; and, finally, continuing knitting after adjustment.

2. The'method of adjusting the tension of all the sections of a full-fashioned knitting machine equal, which consists in, first disconnecting the tension straps from the welt bars in all the sections; second, placing an equal individual balanced pull on the opposite sides of the stocking blanks in each section; measuring knitted blanks to determine uniformity and adjusting tension of all sections while the blanks are under equal balanced pull; releasing balanced pull and re-connecting the roller tension straps with the welt bars; and, finally, continuing knitting after ad,- justment.

' 3. The method of adjusting the tension of all the sections of a full-fashioned knitting machine equal, which consists in, first, disconnecting the tension straps from the welt bars in all the sections; second, placing an equal' individual balanced pull on the opposite sides of the stocking blanks in all of the sections; measuring knitted blanks to determine uniformity and adjusting tension of all sections while the blanks are under equal balanced pull; marking active thread of a thread-carrier with fugitive chalk; knitting a predetermined number of courses and stopping the machine; measuring the blanks from colored chalk line to needle bar to determine if all sections' have been adjusted uniformly; and, finally, releasing balanced pull, re-connecting roller tension straps with the welt bars, and continuing knitting.

4. The method of adjusting the tension of all of the sections of a full-fashioned knitting machine or individual knitting machines equal, which consists in, first, disconnecting the roller tension ANTON J. s'ron'rz. I 

